Why use silverware to feed babies

Mostly, all Indians are aware of the tradition of gifting silverware to babies during the “Annaprashan” (A Hindu ritual/ceremony when the infant starts to have food for the first time other than milk). This tradition is definitely not to show just the riches or wealth as goes the saying “born with a silver spoon,” but because silver as a metal has lots of benefits to it.

Mothers are concerned whether or not to feed the babies in silverware. Here are a few excellent advantages of using it

• Bacteria free: Silver is 100% bacteria free so it is advisable to give food and drinks to the babies in silverware. Since it is bacteria free, it need not be sterilized by boiling the utensils or a bowl in hot water.

• Easy maintenance: Due to its anti-bacterial properties, just a usual wash and a rinse in hot water is enough and is quite easy to maintain than stainless steel, plastics, rubbers or other baby feeding accessories.

All the medicines and home remedies for babies can be given in a silver ‘palada’ or a silver spoon.

• Immunity booster: It is known that when we have hot or warm food in a metal, it will melt and infuse with the food we eat. That way, Silver being anti-bacterial, helps to boost the immunity.

• Non-toxic: Silverwares are non-toxic in nature as it kills a wide variety of bacteria too.

• Retains and restores freshness of water and liquids: In olden days, silver was used to keep water fresh. Also, a silver coin was put into the bowl of milk to keep it fresh and even wines were stored in silver jars to prevent it from spoiling and retain its freshness. Many water purifiers have silver in it due to its non-toxic nature.

• Cools down the body: According to Ayurveda, metals like silver and copper have the added advantage of cooling down the body. Silver is also known to have a very calming, sedative and soothing effects on the nerves. That’s the reason most of the anklets and chains used are made out of silver.

Few pointers to be kept in mind when buying silver utensils for babies:

• The spoons, bowls and glasses should have rounded edges, so baby does not get hurt while eating.
• Choose silver bowls/glasses without any intricate carvings, because that will make it more difficult to clean. Buy simple silver bowl without too much design. Same goes for spoons and glasses too.